by Savana Morie
Photo by Savana Morie
Perhaps one of the more important parts of the college experience is what happens outside the classroom.Students at the South Santa Rosa Center of Pensacola State College firmly believe that’s the case, and last semester a few decided to take control and establish the campus’s first official clubs: an international relations club called The United Nations Organization and the Environmental Club.
Both are, for the most part, entirely student organized and have missions to better their campus, community and the world.
On Jan. 14 and 15, the campus hosted its first ever club rush, which showcases each club and encourages students to sign up and get involved. Decorated booths were set up in the Student Center? with free food, pamphlets, slide-shows and eager recruiters.
After testing the waters last fall, both UNO and the Environmental Club, as well as campus staff, were optimistic about increasing participation.
“It’s growing very quickly,” Michelle Horton, director of the SSRC, said. “The students are excited they have an opportunity to take classes closer to their home, so now they’re really wanting to become more engaged in their location and their environment.”
Tinamarie Castro, sophomore and president of UNO, said, “While doing work study I heard a lot of people talk about how we’re never involved in anything or that the South Santa Rosa campus didn’t have anything to do, and I thought that, well, I have the time, I have the power, I have the resources. It’d be wrong for me not to do something.”
Last semester, UNO managed to raise hundreds of dollars through fundraising in order to help rebuild neighborhoods in Mexico that had been destroyed by last September’s hurricanes. This semester, Castro says her ambitions are even greater and promises fun and interesting conversation for anyone looking to come hang out on Thursdays in room 5188 at 11:45 a.m.
Justin Colón, president of the Environmental Club, also encourages students to join one of the newly formed clubs at the SSRC.
“It’s a great idea. Students need to get involved, add to their transcripts, maybe learn a little more outside of the classroom.”
Sharing the campus’s award-winning ‘green’ attitude, the Environmental Club also had great success last semester with a local beach clean-up and a field trip to Milton, among other places.
Every first and third Tuesday of the month, members meet in room 5184 at 3 p.m and learn more about the environment, listen to guest speakers and participate in community projects.
“I think its important because since it’s an environmental club, it impacts everybody and could peak anyone’s interest,” said Colón.
With clubs now being introduced at the SSRC, students have now been offered an outlet to meet new people and try new things.
Both club’s presidents have stressed it’s never too late to join.